Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said on Tuesday that there has been no violation in any rule over the selection of chief of Indian army.

Stating that the government has not violated any rules of selection process, Parrikar said selection of Chief of Armed Forces is the prerogative of Government.

“If seniority, date of birth was the only criteria, we should have left it to the computer to select the service chief…why follow a cabinet process,” he added.

On Selection of Chief of Armed Forces

Selection is the prerogative of Govt

If seniority, date of birth was only criteria, computer would have selected service chief, what follow a cabinet process

All candidates for Army Cheif were equally good.

Don’t know where this principle of seniority has come from.

We got all good candidates. Procedure doesn’t say seniority is norm.

Parrikar said all candidates for Army Cheif were equally good and he does not know from “where this principle of seniority has come from.” “We got all good candidates. Procedure doesn’t say seniority is norm,” he clarified on the selection of Gen Bipin Rawat as COAS over two senior army officers.

A day prior, the newly appointed army chief said in an interview, “It’s a decision taken by the government and in all humility I have accepted the responsibility. I respect the two senior Generals as we have rubbed shoulders together and I think the kind of support I have received from them so far is indeed exemplary. The support is to the Indian Army and to the head of Indian Army so as to help us achieve greater heights in the years ahead.”

Gen Rawat had further said that Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi spoke to him and he did not in any way feel that they he (Praveen Bakshi) was disturbed or showed any sign of unease.

“He was courteous and the call was very-very friendly. In the betterment of the organisation, we will continue to work together.”

Parrikar said the decision on appointment of Gen Rawat was taken after a proper due diligence along with reports and inputs from the Intelligence Bureau.

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